The Etxeondo Orhi Bib Shorts are a new product from the Spanish company and are their second most expensive offering. They're very well designed with a racey fit and comfortable chamois and the bold leg hem gives them a distinctive look. Well suited to riding in hot weather, with key mesh panels to aid breathability.

Starting with the most important component of any bibshort, the chamois. Often called the insert, or pad, Etxeondo have developed the Urraki in partnership with Elastic Interface and its use of staggered depth foam places more padding where you need it most, and less where you don't need it. It conforms comfortably to the body and during riding offers top-level comfort. And because of its lack of bulk due to the multi-depth shape, you don't really notice it's there.

The shorts are made with a one-piece seamless bib section that is intended to improve comfort, and it does, because there are a lot fewer seams and stitching than some shorts. There's plenty of stretch in the Lycra Sport fabric that they shape nicely around the legs and hips with no undesired tension or restriction. Swooping from the inner thigh, around the leg and to the bum, is a panel of mesh material that aids breathability, so on a hot day these will keep you cooler. A nice touch.

The seamless bib straps are wide and stretchy and afford good pressure distribution over the shoulders, and there's no stitching or ridges to dig into the body. They sit comfortably over the chest as well. Out back the tops of the straps have a short joining section and there's a large hole to aid ventilation. Just above the bum, in the small of your back is a large mesh panel to further aid ventilation.

Wide leg grippers do a standout job of keeping the legs in place, so they don't slide up and show your pale white flesh above the tan line. You've got a tan line, right? The hems clasp the leg without too much pressure, there's no restriction to speak of. Large logo type wraps around the hem and is a love-or-hate thing really. I've grown to like it. I've not spotted another rider out on the roads in matching shorts, which is always nice if that sort of thing concerns you (it doesn't me, it's just an observation worth noting).

The fit is very good, but it has to be said that they're on the small side. They're from the Italian school of sizing. I tested the medium and they compare well with Assos and Castelli in this regard. There's loads of stretch in the fabric and they're a good cut that fits comfortably. They're available in sizes right up to XXL.

They're at the higher end of the bib short pricing ladder but they make a very good argument for themselves.

Verdict

Comfortable, good looking, ideal in hot weather and a great chamois.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Etxeondo Orhi Bib Short

Size tested: Black, Medium

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The revolutionary new straps on the ORHI bib-shorts are Etxeondo's latest innovation. These straps are made as a single seamless piece, providing exceptional comfort by contouring to fit the body perfectly. These straps were developed using anti-tear technology that despite being seamless gives them superb strength.

The Lycra Sport fabric panels are combined with panels made from a special fabric for increasing the bib-shorts' breathability. This, along with their innovative straps, leg grippers and super anatomical cut give us a final product characterized by complete comfort, elasticity and fit. We have not overlooked design, however, and brand details can be seen both on the stylish embroidery on the back as well as the elastic band.

The Urraki chamois guarantees complete freedom of movement while its special microfiber fabric guarantees good moisture control and hygiene.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Lycra Sport fabric

Panels using special fabric for increased breathability

Urraki chamois

New seamless one-piece straps

Leg grippers

Excellent breathability and fast drying

Embroidery on the back

Antibacterial

Rate the product for quality of construction:

7/10

Rate the product for performance:

8/10

A good short for racers and long milers.

Rate the product for durability:

7/10

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:

8/10

The chamois is good for big miles.

Rate the product for value:

7/10

There's a lot of competition at this price range, but these do make a good case for themselves, ticking all the boxes.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

I was very impressed with the overall performance.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit and chamois.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Some may not like the bold logo treatment on the legs.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67

I usually ride:My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

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David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.

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